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Kathryn Bigelow, Sandra Bullock, Mo’Nique, Kathy Bates, Liv Tyler, Ginnifer Goodwin, Keri Russell and the cast of Mad Men lead this installment of the Hollywood Trade Roundup, a collection of hotties making headlines in The Hollywood Reporter and Daily Variety.
The week opened with the biggest — and gayest — night in Hollywood: The 82nd Annual Academy Awards. And while everyone knows who the winners are by now — The Hurt Locker’s Kathryn Bigelow was officially crowned Queen of the World — Hollywood generally breathed a collective sigh of relief that awards season has come to an end.
Inching in before the Oscars, however, were the Independent Spirit Awards, where out director Lee Daniels and his Precious star Gabourey Sidibe led the winners — along with Mo’Nique, Jeff Bridges (for Crazy Heart) and Woody Harrelson (for The Messenger).
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Meanwhile, the weekend at the boxoffice proved that Tim Burton hasn’t lost his touch as his reimagined version of Alice in Wonderland topped the frame with $116 million take that was only helped by its 3D release. Alice also helped end Avatar’s No. 1 streak overseas, proving again that it was a good weekend for the ladies.
Over in the TV sector, NBC renewed the remainder of its Thursday night comedy lineup, picking up The Office, Community and 30 Rock for additional seasons. Fox, not to be outdone on Thursday, renewed its J.J. Abrams sci-fi mystery series Fringe, starring the lovely Anna Torv as Detective Olivia Dunham. More, please!
In pilot casting news, Kathy Bates is in talks for her first series regular role — David E. Kelley’s NBC drama pilot Kindreds, where she’ll star as a former patent lawyer in a role that was initially written for a man but is being reworked for the Oscar winner. … Former 24 first lady Jean Smart has joined CBS’ Hawaii Five-O remake, where she’ll play Hawaii Gov. Pat Jameson. … Heroes alum Dania Ramirez has boarded HBO’s Entourage as a recurring, where she’ll play a love interest for Turtle (Jerry Ferrara).
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In Oscar-related news, the show’s telecast, commonly referred to as the Gay Super Bowl, collected 41.3 million viewers to become the most-watched Oscar telecast in five years. … ABC Family has picked up rights to broadcast best picture nominee The Blind Side, starring best actress winner and Meryl Streep kisser Sandra Bullock. … Best actress nominee Gabourey Sidibe officially has joined Showtime’s upcoming series The Big C, as a recurring character.
Best supporting actress winner Mo’Nique will kick off her 20-city Spread the Love comedy tour on March 19 in New Orleans. Other stops on the tour include April 2 at the Nokia Theater in L.A. and April 24 at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Liv Tyler has been cast opposite Patrick Wilson in the suspense pic The Ledge in the story of a man (Charlie Hunnam) standing on a high-rise ledge who insists he must jump by noon as the cop (Terrence Howard) tries to stop him.
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John Krasinski is in talks to star opposite Ginnifer Goodwin in the romantic comedy Something Borrowed. Goodwin will play a Manhattan attorney — a total good girl — who falls in love with her best friend’s fiancé on her 30th birthday. All together now: Awwwwww.
Former Felicity star Keri Russell is in talks to star opposite Will Arnett in Fox’s comedy Wilde Kingdom, marking her return to the small screen. Wilde revolves around a Beverly Hills jackass (Arnett) who falls in love with a charitable tree-hugging woman (Russell) who can’t stand his lifestyle or values.
Mad Men fans, prepare to shop: Mattel is launching four Barbie Mad Men dolls. The line includes characters Don and Betty Draper, Roger Sterling and Joan Holloway. Now you, too, can own Christina Hendricks and January Jones!
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Anna Farris will star opposite Chris Evans in What’s Your Number? The comedy revolving around a young woman who with help from her womanizing next-door neighbor revisits all her ex-boyfriends with the hope of finding the man of her dreams.
In music news, Lady Antebellum’s “Need You Now” returned to the top spot, Sade’s “Soldier of Love” dropped to No. 2, the soundtrack to Alice in Wonderland debuted at No. 5 and Lady Gaga’s “The Fame” slipped two notches to No. 7.
Looking to the weekend at the multiplex, Matt Damon takes over the boxoffice with the thriller Green Zone. Opening in massive counterprogramming is Robert Pattinson’s other movie, Remember Me — co-starring Lost’s Emilie de Ravin in place of Kristen Stewart. Also opening wide is the Jay Baruchel romantic comedy She’s Out of My League and the America Ferrera comedy Our Family Wedding. Let the countdown begin: Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning steam up the big screen as Joan Jett and Cherie Currie in The Runaways, which opens wide in less than 168 hours from now.
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